Page 90 of Of Storm and Emerald
“My star–”
She scoffed, fire burning in her eyes as she finally looked at him, but underneath that fire was hurt. He’d hurt her. “Don’t youdarecall me that.”
She dropped his hand.
Curtsied.
Then walked to the edge of the floor where Piper and Xander stood.
Frozen to the spot where she left him, Daemon watched as she walked away.
Walked away from the dance floor.
Away from the party.
And away from him.
Seconds. Minutes. Hours. He wasn’t sure how long he stood unflinching on the dance floor. It wasn’t until his sister looped her arm through his and began to drag him away that time started again.
“You’re not seriously thinking of just letting her go, are you?”
Daemon stopped abruptly. “What?”
“Auraelia. You’re not just going to let her go, are you? You’re not even going totryto fix this? I thought you were smarter than that, little brother.”
“It’s not that simple, Yvaine, and you know it.”
“True, but I still think you should at least try.”
He sighed, “I can’t just leave the solstice celebration. I’m the prince for goddess’ sake, how would that look?”
It wasn’t Yvaine who answered this time, but his mother. “The celebration will be fine without you. Go on. Go to her.”
“But, Mother. What about the treaty?”
“You let me worry about that, alright. Get the girl first, and we will deal with the treaty later.” Queen Avyanna winked, and the smile she gave him was full of hope and love.
Daemon’s heart raced as hope swelled in his chest.
As his smile broadened, his mother’s eyes glimmered with mischief.
“You did say that her favorite color was a deep teal, correct?” Her smile matched his now as she winked. “Good luck.”
With that, Daemon turned and hurried across the garden, taking the wide stone steps that led to the castle two at a time.
Once inside, he shadow-walked to the room his mother hinted at.
Here goes nothing.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Auraelia
Shestoodinthedoorway that led out to her balcony.
After she, Piper, and Xander made it back to the suite, she’d insisted that they return to the party and enjoy themselves. That she was fine, and just needed to be alone.
As soon as they left, she’d thrown the doors open to her balcony. Letting the fresh sea air fill the room, and still her racing mind and heart.
